Gallery RIVAA is pleased to invite you to the Jazz Jam Salon this Sunday, June 11 at 3:00 pm.

The session will showcase the improvisations and talents of Roosevelt Island's jazz musician community and their friends. It will run from 3:00pm to 6:00pm - with non stop jazz! So, please come and enjoy the evening with some great music.

The Ferry project is indeed underway with construction expected to commence sometime in the next week or two. The contractor doing the installation work for the City is in the final stages of planning (with RIOC's input) the designs for the upland work - which will include some conduit work to put electricity in place, and some aesthetic landscaping around the site - where the ferry dock will ultimately be placed.

Additionally, the City is working with the MTA to obtain NYCT permits for additional work that will be done by barge, along the ferry site, in the East River. All work will be completed in time for the ferry to be up and running as anticipated.

The Roosevelt Island Ferry Dock will be located just north of the Queensboro Bridge next to Firefighters Field.

Weeks of pressure from the Roosevelt Island community finally brought results as the Department of Education sent a crew today to plow over PS/IS 217's rat colony, just two days after WCBS 2 and WPIX 11 exposed explanations from the school administration as, at best, evasions of responsibility....

Frank Farance was present during the DOE rat work and reports:

The worker said there were lots of live rats when they went into the nests, he said they were crawling around him. I asked, How Many - 5, 10, a dozen? He said: Over 20.

Dead ones: Dump them into the river. Some live ones: whack them with a shovel.

Other live ones:

they ran away.

During last evening's Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Public Session, Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos staff member Sushant Harite provided a status report about the PS/IS 217 rat infestation. In addition to the DOE work done today, Mr. Harite noted that pesticides are being used on the rats but he did not know what type of pesticide was being used. Also, Mr Farance raised the issue to Mr. Harite of DOE not complying with NYC Department of Health requirements for rat remediation including not having proper signage in the infested area.

RIRA Island Services Committee Chair Aaron Hamburger and ISC member Rosanna Ceruzzi reviewed the rat infestation problem and recommended using Cats to control the rats.

As I was about to publish post above, Mr Farance forwards this message sent from Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 Principal Mandana Beckman today (Ms Beckman did not send message to Roosevelt Islander). According to Ms. Beckman:

Message from Principal Beckman (6/8/17)

Dear 217 Parents, Families & Community-

Thank you all for your patience and perseverance during our struggle with the rat infestation in the small piece of land adjacent to the parking lot.

First, I again want to reassure you that the interior of our beautiful school remains clean and safe. Second, an inspection was done today, 6/8/17, by an inspector with the Department of Education, and the school passed that inspection — the inspector found no evidence of rats or other vermin/pests within the school. In addition, although the recent media attention to our school has been challenging for our staff, parents and students, we took the steps we could to ensure that students' privacy was protected while the media was at our school — including keeping students inside while the camera crews were in the vicinity with cameras focused on our school yard.

Last week, we had a multi-agency inspection and walk-through, which included experts from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Department of Sanitation, the Department of Sustainability and the Division of School Facilities. As a result of those meetings, the following steps have been, and are being, taken:

* Exterminators began work, which has resulted in a significant improvement.

* The DOE has begun construction on the land north of the cafeteria.

* The DOE construction team has removed the planters where the rats were burrowing; the nests have been removed.

* We have received 4 bins from the Department of School Facilities to store food waste in. This will prevent trash from sitting unprotected outside for extended periods of time.

* The DOE exterminator will continue to come weekly to monitor bait stations.

As a result of the exterminators' efforts, we are already beginning to see positive change in the yard, and we will continue to keep you updated as we learn more about what the inter-agency team recommends regarding our property.

Finally, I want to thank all of you for your continued support, concern and patience. I know this situation has been frustrating and, for some, frightening, but I am confident we are on our way to overcoming this challenge.

Patrick Connorton, who grew up on Roosevelt Island, has launched a startup, Reefill, with two partners. Reefill aims to reduce plastic-bottle waste dramatically while saving money for consumers of water on the run.

Reefill recently won first place in the 2016 StartUP! Business Plan Competition sponsored by the NY Public Library and the Citi Foundation. They're off to a good start with Reefill stations around the NYU area (the university is a great supporter).

Patrick is Judy's son.

Patrick Connorton adds:

Reefill is an app-enabled network of stations where members can fill their reusable bottle with cold, filtered water on the go -- it's a low-cost, environmentally friendly alternative to bottled water. Using the Reefill app, members locate the nearest station (found in local businesses like coffee shops and juice bars), activate it with their phone's Bluetooth, and fill their bottle in seconds. Monthly memberships cost $1.99, or the price of just one bottled water, and provide unlimited refills at any of our stations.

Late last year, Reefill launched an eight-station pilot network around NYU, which provided grant funding and is purchasing memberships for 1,800 freshmen this fall. Reefill won first place and a $15,000 prize in the 2016 New York StartUp! Business Plan Competition, run by the New York Public Library and Citi Foundation, took part in Think Beyond Plastic’s 2015 accelerator class, and is currently incubated at 1776's Brooklyn campus.

Reefill's Indiegogo campaign has already raised over $30,000, which will help Reefill install stations in virtually every neighborhood in Manhattan this coming year. As a Reefill co-founder and Roosevelt Island native, I can't wait to bring the network to the Island too!

I asked Mr. Connorton:

What is the incentive for local stores to put in a Station? Do you pay them a fee like a supermarket stocking fee?

He replied:

We do not pay the host businesses, nor do they pay us. We handle all costs associated with the Reefill station, including installation, maintenance, and filter changes, and in exchange we drive foot traffic to the stores and provide free advertising on our app and website; the stores also share our mission of reducing plastic waste. Soon the stores will also be able to provide discounts to our users through the app as they are filling up to incentivize further sales (and our members benefit from great deals!).

Saturday, June 17th, come out and continue the tradition of celebrating Roosevelt Island in fine fashion! Starting at 9 AM the Good Shepherd Plaza will be full of volunteers, activities, entertainment, games and so much more!

Don’t miss out on a day full of fun and a chance to participate in the blood drive, hosted by RIRA at 546 Main Street!

... CBS2 returned to the Roosevelt Island school for the second consecutive day Tuesday. But times, the rodents were spotted within just minutes – scurrying all over the schoolyard, running across railings, and sometimes flooding the area.

On Monday, the Department of Education told CBS2 an inspection showed there are no rats inside the school building. The department also said the issue is island-wide and did not originate on school property.

“Around my building, I do not see swarms of rats,” one resident said.

CBS2’s mission Tuesday was to look for rats in other areas. Roy and her crew walked up and down the island, and to another private school nearby – but no other rats were found. People on Roosevelt Island said like any part of the city, they do see rats occasionally – especially by the water – but nothing like the situation at the school....

During the May 25, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors meeting (video of full meeting here), RIOC President Susan Rosenthal reported that Brian's mother, Florine, is donating a chess table and benches in Brian's memory. The Chess table and benches will be located at Capobianco Field where there will be a memorial service on June 25.

Since November 10, 1775 precision and adaptability have been the hallmarks of all Marine Corps units. Marine Corps Band New Orleans is no different. The band is dedicated to excellence and committed to providing America with a glimpse of the Marine Corps' proficiency and versatility.

Marine Corps Band New Orleans was established October 1, 1978. Under the operational control of the Commanding General, Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North, the unit is comprised of active duty Marines stationed aboard the Marine Corps Support Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana. The band supports all units of the Fourth Marine Logistics Group, Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, Fourth Marine Division, and Force Headquarters Group. Additionally, these Marines are often called upon to perform in support of Marine Corps Recruiting Command initiatives and community relations programs.

Each year the musicians of the band travel throughout the United States entertaining over 6 million people as they perform in more than 280 concerts, parades, and ceremonies. The members of the band are basically trained riflemen, fulfill all annual Marine Corps physical and combat fitness requirements, participate in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and, when directed by the Commanding General, serve as part of a security element in conflicts and exercises around the globe. There are several members of the current ensemble who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and the principle conductor also served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm....

and press release:

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve will close out its 10-month nationwide centennial celebrations where it began in New York City with a three-show concert series June 14-16, 2017. The concerts will bring the centennial celebration full circle since Marines and supporters nationwide witnessed the kickoff at Times Square on August 29, 2016.

“We’re honored to wrap up the nationwide Marine Corps Reserve Centennial celebrations in the city where it began last year,” said Gunnery Sgt. Justin Hauser, senior conductor of Marine Corps Band New Orleans. “We’re pulling out all the stops to give New Yorkers the most patriotic show as thanks for their ongoing support of the Marine Corps Reserve.”

Since the Times Square kickoff, the Marine Corps Reserve has celebrated at more than 100 high-profile events in cities across the country, including New York, Boston, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Chicago, Seattle, New Orleans, Houston, Nashville, and others.

The multimedia concerts will be held at:

Garibaldi Plaza in Washington Square Park
In addition to celebrating the Marine Corps Reserve Centennial, Marine Corps Band New Orleans will also celebrate Flag Day and honor New York City’s first responders.

Wednesday, June 14 at 7 p.m.

Kaye Theater at Hunter College
Marine Corps Band New Orleans and USO Show Troupe will honor New York City’s support of the Marine Corps Reserve at this show.

Thursday, June 15 at 7 p.m.

FDR Four Freedoms State Park
The finale event of the 10-month national celebration of the Marine Corps Reserve Centennial, the show will honor the continuing support New York state has given the Marine Corps Reserve over the past 100 years.

Friday, June 16 at 7 p.m.

Take a listen to the US Marine Corp Band New Orleans get funky at Mardi Gras

and perform at the 2014 Rex Ball in New Orleans.

We're going to have a good time with the US Marine Corp Band New Orleans Friday June 16 at Roosevelt Island's FDR Four Freedoms Park.

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WELCOME TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND

Welcome to the Roosevelt Islander Online!

Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.

The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.